Providing haptic output based on a determined orientation of an electronic device

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for providing haptic output for an electronic device. In certain embodiments, a type of haptic output is provided based on a determined orientation, position, and/or operating environment of the electronic device. Specifically, the electronic device may receive input from one or more sensors associated with electronic device. Once the input from the one or more sensors is received, an orientation, position and/or operating environment of the electronic device is determined. Based on the determined orientation of the electronic device, a type of haptic output is selected and provided.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/283,430, filed May 21, 2014, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to providing haptic output for anelectronic device. Specifically, the present disclosure is directed toproviding a various types of haptic output based on a determinedorientation, position and/or operating environment of the electronicdevice.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices are very commonplace in today's society. Theseelectronic devices include cell phones, tablet computers, personaldigital assistants and the like. Some of these electronic devicesinclude an ability to notify a user of a particular item of interest,such as, for example, an incoming phone call, or may otherwise attemptto gain the user's attention through the use of various alertnotifications. These alert notifications may include vibrating motors,noise from speakers in the form of ringtones and the like.

It is with respect to these and other general considerations thatembodiments of the present disclosure have been made. Also, althoughrelatively specific problems have been discussed, it should beunderstood that the embodiments disclosed herein should not be limitedto solving the specific problems identified in the background.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription section. This summary is not intended to identify keyfeatures or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is itintended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method forproviding a type of haptic output for an electronic device. In certainembodiments, the type of haptic output is based on a determinedorientation, position, and/or operating environment of the electronicdevice. Specifically, the electronic device may receive input from oneor more sensors associated with electronic device. Once the input fromthe one or more sensors is received, an orientation, position and/oroperating environment of the electronic device is determined. Based onthe determined orientation of the electronic device, a type of hapticoutput is selected and provided.

In another embodiment, a method and system is provided for adjusting atype of haptic output provided by an electronic device. In suchembodiments, input is received from one or more sensors associated withthe electronic device. An orientation of the electronic device isdetermined using the input from the one or more sensors. The input fromthe sensors may be received simultaneously, substantially simultaneouslyor in a sequential manner. Further, input may be received from a firstsensor and the electronic device may then request that additionalreadings be received from a second sensor. Once the senor readings fromthe one or more sensors is received, the electronic device may requestadditional input. The additional input may include information from anapplication or other program being executed on the electronic device orfrom an additional sensor. Using this information, the electronic deviceis configured to determine its orientation, position with respect to auser or another computing device, and/or its current operatingenvironment. Once this information is determined, a type of hapticoutput is selected and provided by the electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate exemplary electronic devices that may be used toprovide haptic output according to one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an exemplary electronic device being worn by auser according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an electronic device operating in an exemplaryoperating environment according to one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic device operating in another exemplaryoperating environment according to one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of providing haptic output based on adetermined orientation of an electronic device according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating example physical components of anelectronic device that may be used with one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is simplified block diagram of an electronic device that may beused with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described more fully below with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show specificexemplary embodiments. However, embodiments may be implemented in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. Thefollowing detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense.

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure provide asystem and method for providing a type of haptic output for anelectronic device. The type of haptic output is based on a determinedorientation, position, and/or operating environment of the electronicdevice. Specifically, the electronic device may receive input from oneor more sensors associated with an electronic device. The input from theone or more sensors is analyzed to determine a current orientation,position and/or operating environment of the electronic device. Once theorientation, position and/or operating environment of the electronicdevice is determined, a type of haptic output is selected and providedby the electronic device. As will be discussed below, the type of hapticoutput selected is a type that will maximize salience of the hapticoutput given the current orientation, position and/or operatingenvironment of the electronic device.

For example the various types of haptic output may include: (i) adirection of the haptic output (e.g., haptic output provided in an xaxis, a y axis, a z axis or a combination thereof), (ii) a duration ofthe haptic output, (iii) a frequency or waveform of a vibration or pulseof the haptic output, (iv) an amount of power consumed by providing thehaptic output, (v) a pattern of the haptic output (e.g., a series ofshort pulses, a series of different vibrations or combinations thereof),and the like.

In addition to providing haptic output, the electronic device may alsobe configured to output auditory and/or visual notifications based onthe received input from the one or more sensors. Specifically, the inputfrom the one or more sensors is analyzed to determine a currentorientation, position and/or operating environment of the electronicdevice. Once the orientation, position and/or operating environment ofthe electronic device is determined, a type of visual and/or auditoryoutput is selected and provided by the electronic device. In furtherembodiments, haptic output may be combined with auditory notificationsand/or visual notifications.

For example the various types of auditory output may various tones,rings and other sounds. Likewise, the various types of visual output mayinclude flashing lights, flashing the screen, outputting a text, graphicor picture on a display of the electronic device and the like.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate exemplary electronic devices 100 and 130respectively that may be used to provide haptic output according to oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments,each of the electronic devices 100 and 130 may be portable computingdevices. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the electronic device 100 maybe a wearable electronic device. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 1B,the electronic device 130 may be a mobile phone. Although specificexample have been given, additional electronic devices may be used. Forexample, the electronic device of the present disclosure may be varioustypes of portable computing devices including tablet computers, laptopcomputers, time keeping devices, computerized glasses, navigationdevices, sports devices, portable music players, health devices, medicaldevices and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the wearable electronic device 100 may include adisplay 110. The display 110 may be a touch-sensitive display having aninput area (not shown). The input area may cover the entire area of thedisplay 110 or a portion of the display 110. The display 110 may providea user interface that outputs various information about the wearableelectronic device 100. The display 110 may also provide information thatis stored in a memory of the wearable electronic device 100. Forexample, the display 110 may present information corresponding to one ormore applications that are executed or stored on the electronic device100. Such applications may include email applications, phoneapplications, calendaring applications, game applications, time keepingapplications and the like.

The wearable electronic device 100 may also include a band or a strap120 that is used to connect or secure the wearable electronic device 100to a user. In other embodiments, the wearable electronic device 100 mayinclude a lanyard or necklace. In still further examples, the wearableelectronic device 100 may be secured to or within another part of auser's body. In these and other embodiments, the strap, band, lanyard,or other securing mechanism may include one or more electroniccomponents or sensors in wireless or wired communication with anaccessory. For example, the band secured 120 to the wearable electronicdevice 100 may include one or more sensors, an auxiliary battery, acamera, or any other suitable electronic component.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the electronic device 130 may be a mobile phone orother such computing device. The electronic device 130 may also includea display 150 for providing information about the electronic device 130such as was described above with respect to FIG. 1A. The electronicdevice 130 may also include one or more buttons 140 or other such inputdevices.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1A-1B the wearable electronic device 100 andthe electronic device 130 may include a sensor, a microphone, aprocessor, a memory, a haptic actuator and a light source. Thesespecific components, as well as other components of an exemplarycomputing device are shown below with respect to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Inembodiments, the wearable electronic device 100 and the electronicdevice 130 may include multiple components of the same or similar type.For example, the wearable electronic device 100 may include multiplesensors, multiple processors, multiple haptic actuators etc. Inaddition, each of the components of the same type may work incombination or separately to provide various readings, input and output.

Further, the wearable electronic device 100 and the electronic device130 may include other components not shown or described above. Forexample, the wearable electronic device 100 may include a keyboard orother input mechanism. Additionally, the wearable electronic device 100may include one or more components that enable the wearable electronicdevice 100 to connect to the internet and/or access one or more remotedatabases or storage devices. The electronic device 100 may also enablecommunication over wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency(RF), infrared, and other wireless media mediums. Such communicationchannels may enable the wearable electronic device 100 to remotelyconnect and communicate with one or more additional devices such as, forexample, a laptop computer, tablet computer, mobile telephone, personaldigital assistant, portable music player, speakers and/or headphones andthe like.

The wearable electronic device 100 and the electronic device 130 mayalso provide haptic output to notify a user of each device of aparticular condition of the device. The haptic output may also be usedto notify the user of an incoming text message, phone call, emailmessage or other such communication. The haptic output may also notify auser of upcoming appointments and other notifications from variousapplications on each of the devices.

In certain embodiments, each of the devices 100 and 130 may beconfigured to output different types of haptic, audio and/or visualoutput based on various conditions associated with the device. Forexample, a first haptic output may be provided by the wearableelectronic device 100 in a first set setting while a second, differenthaptic output may be provided by the wearable electronic device 100 in asecond setting. In another example, a first haptic output and firstvisual notification may be provided in a first setting and a secondhaptic output, a second visual notification and a first auditorynotification may be provided in a second setting. Depending on thesettings the wearable electronic device 100 or the electronic device 130is operating in, the haptic output may be a vibration, a series ofvibrations, a pulse, a series of pulses, and various combinationsthereof. Further, each vibration or pulse may be caused by a singlehaptic actuator or multiple haptic actuators.

In addition to the vibration or the pulse provided by a haptic actuatorand as discussed above, each of the devices described herein may alsooutput a visual notifications and/or auditory notifications. The visualand auditory notifications may be output by a light source, the display,and speakers respectively. For example, the visual and auditorynotifications, when output, may include flashing lights and tones havinga variety of patterns, volumes, intensity or brightness and soon._Further, the visual and auditory notifications may be outputseparate from the vibrations or pulses output by the haptic actuator.The visual and auditory notifications may also be output simultaneouslyor substantially simultaneously with the vibrations or pulses output bythe haptic actuator. In yet another embodiment, the visual and auditorynotifications may be output sequentially with respect to the vibrationsor pulses output by the haptic actuator. Although the wearableelectronic device 100 and the electronic device 130 may provide hapticoutput to gain the attention of the user, embodiments described hereinare directed to determining an optimal method of vibrating or pulsingthe haptic actuator. As needed or as determined, each of the device 100and 130 may also provide auditory or visual notifications. For example,embodiments described herein vary the type of haptic output provided byan electronic device based on the sensed operating environment of eachof the devices 100 and 130, the orientation of each of the devices 100and 130 and/or the position of the each of the devices 100 and 130 withrespect to a user.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure allow the wearableelectronic device 100 and the electronic device 130 to autonomouslyobserve or sense current operating conditions associated with eachdevice 100 and 130, their respective orientations, and their positionswith respect to a user. Based on these factors, each of the wearableelectronic device 100 and the electronic device 130 can adjust the typeof haptic output that is to be provided when a notification is to beprovided to a user.

For example, the electronic device 130 may determine its currentoperating environment, such as for example, whether the electronicdevice 130 is indoors, outdoors, contained in a purse or bag, sitting ona table, in a pocket, attached to an arm of the user etc., by obtainingsensor readings from one or more sensors.

Based on the sensor readings from the one or more sensors, theelectronic device 130 may select and/or optimize the type (e.g., thedirection, duration, pattern, timing, etc.) of the haptic outputprovided by one or more haptic actuators. Specifically, the one or morehaptic actuators may be configured to output vibrations or pulses in avariety of patterns, for a variety of durations, in a variety ofdirections (e.g., different axis) and combinations thereof. Inembodiments where the electronic device 130 includes multiple hapticactuators, a first haptic actuator may be used to output vibrations orpulses in a first direction and in a first pattern while a second hapticactuator may be used to output vibrations is a second direction and fora second duration. When multiple haptic actuators are present in theelectronic device 130, the haptic actuators may output vibrations orpulses separately, simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

For example, the electronic device 130 may utilize readings from varioussensors to determine that the electronic device 130 is face down on atable. As such, a first haptic actuator may be activated to output afirst type of vibration or pulse at a first determined frequency,duration and/or in a first direction or axis. In another example, thereadings from one or more sensors may determine that the wearableelectronic device 100 is being worn on a wrist or arm of the user. Assuch, a second haptic actuator may be activated to output a second typeof vibration or pulse at a second frequency, duration and/or in a seconddirection or axis. In these embodiments, the readings from the one ormore sensors may be utilized to cause the haptic actuator to vibrate orpulse in such a way as to optimize salience depending on the determinedenvironment, orientation and position in which the wearable electronicdevice 100 is operating.

In some embodiments, the devices 100 and 130 may include anaccelerometer that detects an orientation of the devices 100 and 130and/or whether the devices 100 and 130 are moving (e.g., being carriedby a user) or stationary (e.g., lying on a table). The sensor may alsobe a gyroscope, magnetometer or other sensors that detect distanceand/or depth. In yet another example, the sensor may be a light sensorthat detects an amount of ambient light in order to determine whetherthe devices 100 and 130 are in a bag, in a pocket, covered by an articleof clothing or the like. The sensor may also be a temperature sensorthat monitors a rise in heat caused by a user holding the electronicdevice 130 in the user's hand or wearing the wearable electronic device100.

As discussed above, each of the devices 100 and 130 may include multiplesensors. Accordingly, each of the sensors may obtain sensor readingsseparately, simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. In anotherembodiment, one sensor may be a primary sensor that provides initialreadings to a processor of the electronic devices. If additionalreadings are required to determine the current operating environment ofthe devices 100 and 130, the processor of each device may requestadditional readings from the other sensors.

For example, if the primary sensor is an accelerometer, the processor ofthe electronic device 130 may determine, based on the data provided bythe accelerometer, that the electronic device 130 is stationary. Basedon the readings from that single sensor, a type of haptic output may beselected and provided by the electronic device 130. However, theprocessor may also request that one or more additional sensors providesensed data so as to verify or more correctly identify the currentoperating environment, orientation or position of the electronic device130. Using this data, the electronic device may maximize salience of thehaptic output.

Once the one or more sensors have taken their respective readings, thesensor readings may be analyzed together or separately in order todetermine an operating environment, orientation and/or position of thedevice. More specifically, the readings from the one or more sensors maybe used to determine the most effective way to obtain the attention of auser of one of the devices 100 or 130 based on the sensed operatingenvironment, orientation and/or position of the devices 100 and 130.

Continuing the example from above, readings from an accelerometer may beanalyzed in conjunction with an ambient light sensor to determine thatthe electronic device 130 is in a pocket of a user. Further, the datafrom the accelerometer may indicate that the user is currently walkingor running. Using this data, the processor of the electronic device 130may instruct one or more haptic actuators to output a vibration or pulsealong a first axis, in a first pattern and for a first duration.

In another example, the data from the accelerometer and the ambientlight sensor may indicate that the electronic device 130 is in a pocketof the user but the user is sitting down or standing in place. In thisexample, the processor of the electronic device 130 may instruct the oneor more haptic actuators to output a vibration or pulse along the firstaxis, but in a second pattern or for a second duration.

As discussed above, the wearable electronic device 100 and theelectronic device 130 may include a single sensor or multiple sensors.The sensors may be used alone or in combination with other sensors. Forexample, if the one sensor is an accelerometer, a gyroscope may be usedin conjunction with the accelerometer to determine an orientation of thedevices 100 and 130.

Continuing with the example above, if the wearable electronic device 130is worn on the arm of a user, a sensor may be configured to determinewhether the arm of the user is stationary or moving. Further, the sensormay be configured to determine how the arm of the user is positioned.Specifically, input from the one or more sensors can determine that theuser has his arms folded or otherwise held horizontally with respect tothe user. The sensors may also determine whether the user has his armsin a vertical position with respect to the user such as, for example, ifthe user's arms are pointed down or swinging while walking.

Once the position of the wearable electronic device 100 or theelectronic device 130 has been determined, the processor may instructthe haptic actuator to output a vibration or pulse that maximizessalience. For example, the processor may determine, based on thedetermined orientation, operating environment and position of thewearable electronic device 100 or the electronic device 130, that thehaptic output should be provided in a first pattern at a firstfrequency, in a first direction, and for a first determined amount oftime. In embodiments, the processor may also determine, based on thereceived sensor readings, that a display and/or a light source may bevisible, or in a line of sight of the user of each of the devices 100and 130. In such embodiments, the processor may also cause the displayand/or the light source to flash or otherwise give a visual indicationof the notification along with, or in place of, the haptic output.

In yet another embodiment, the sensor may be a light sensor. In suchembodiments, the light sensor may be configured to determine an amountof ambient light (or other source of light) that the devices 100 and 130are exposed to. For example, the light sensor may be able to determinewhether the wearable electronic device 100 is covered or partiallycovered, such as, for example, by an article of clothing, or whether theelectronic device is placed in a pocket or in a bag. If the wearableelectronic device 100 is covered or partially covered, the hapticactuator may output a vibration or pulse of a second type, having asecond duration and in a second direction.

In still yet another embodiment, the sensor may be an image sensor thatis part of a camera of one of the electronic devices 100 and 130. Insuch embodiments, the image sensor may be configured to determinewhether the devices 100 and 130 are moving or stationary and is alsoable to determine the position of the user with respect to theelectronic device (e.g., whether the user is wearing the wearableelectronic device 100). For example, the image sensor may be able todetermine an orientation of the wearable electronic device 100 bytemporarily analyzing the surroundings and making a determination of itsorientation based on the collected data.

In other embodiments, data received from the camera may be used toprovide additional information regarding the operating environment ofthe devices 100 and 130. For example, if the electronic device 130 islying face down on a surface and one sensor (e.g., a light sensor) islocated on the face of the electronic device 130 while the image sensoris located on the opposite side of the electronic device 130, the lightsensor may indicate that it is receiving substantially no light whilethe camera indicates that it is receiving light. Accordingly adetermination may be made that the electronic device 130 is face down onthe surface.

In accordance with the embodiments and examples described herein, oncethe orientation and/or position of the devices 100 130 have beendetermined, haptic output may be provided by the device. The type ofhaptic output, includes the frequency, direction, pattern and durationof the haptic output such as described above.

The wearable electronic device 100 or the electronic device 130 may alsoinclude a microphone or other such input device. In certain embodiments,the microphone may also be used to determine an orientation or positionof the devices 100 and 130 with respect to a user. For example, themicrophone could be used to detect the rubbing of an article of clothingagainst the wearable electronic device 100 to determine whether thewearable electronic device 100 is in a bag, a pocket or covered by thearticle of clothing.

In another embodiment, the haptic actuator of the devices 100 and 130may emit a small or quick pulse or vibration when it is determined thatthe device is stationary. The microphone may then help determine whetherthe device is placed on a hard or soft surface depending on the amountof noise caused by the emitted pulse or vibration. Based on thisreading, the type of haptic output may be selected or adjusted. Forexample, if it is determined that the electronic device 130 is on a hardflat surface, the haptic output that is provided may be a series ofshort pulses instead of a long vibratory output.

In addition to the above, the microphone may be configured to detect andrecognize a voice of a user, including determining a direction fromwhich the voice originates. Based on this information, an orientationand/or position of the devices 100 and 130 may be determined. Once theorientation and position of the devices 100 and 130 is determined, thehaptic actuator may output various types of haptic output such asdescribed above.

Although not shown, each of the electronic devices 100 and 130 may alsoinclude a global positioning system (GPS) sensor. The GPS sensor mayindicate, based on monitored position data, whether the devices 100 or130 are moving and may also determine an environment in which the deviceis located (e.g., shopping mall, movie theater, park etc.). Using thisinformation, either singularly or in combination with other sensors, theprocessor of the device may adjust the type of haptic output provided bythe haptic actuator accordingly.

The wearable electronic device 100 and the electronic device 130 mayalso include a memory. The memory may be configured to store settingsand/or orientation information received from the sensor or microphone.In addition, the memory may store data corresponding to a calendaringapplication, a contacts application and the like. Because the each ofthe devices 100 and 130 has access to this additional data, theadditional data may be used to select a type of haptic output.

For example, if the readings from the sensor indicate that theelectronic device 130 is face-up on a table, the haptic actuator may beconfigured to output a first type of vibratory output. However, if datafrom the calendaring application indicates that the user of theelectronic device 130 is in a meeting at the time the vibratory outputis to be provided, a second, different type of vibratory output may beprovided by the haptic actuator. In another embodiment, the hapticoutput may be delayed until the data from the calendaring application,or other such application, indicates that the user is free.

In yet another embodiment, the vibratory output may change based on acontact list. For example, if the electronic device 130 is in a firstorientation and a first position with respect to a user, the hapticactuator may output a first type of vibration. However, if theembodiment determined that the notification for which the vibration isoutput is a person of a defined significance to the user (e.g., mother,father, wife, supervisor and so on), such as, for example as defined ina contacts application, the type of vibratory output may be adjustedaccordingly. For example, each individual in a contacts application maybe associated with a different type of haptic feedback or combinationsof types of haptic feedback.

In still yet other embodiments, the data from the calendaringapplication and contact information may be combined or arranged in ahierarchy. Thus, if the user is in a meeting but is receiving anotification from a person of importance to the user, the hapticactuator may provide a type of tactile, audio, and/or visualnotification when the user would otherwise not be disturbed.

In some additional embodiments, the haptic, audio and/or visual outputmay change based on the determined operating environment of theelectronic device 100. More specifically, the output, whether auditory,haptic, visual and various combinations, may vary based on a determinedoperating environment of the electronic device 100.

For example, a duration of haptic vibrations may have a first lengthwhen the electronic device 100 is placed on a table and a have a secondlength when the electronic device 100 is placed in a pocket of a user.Likewise, auditory notifications, along with haptic output, may beprovided when the electronic device is in a pocket of a user. In thisscenario, visual notifications would not be provided as the electronicdevice 100 could determine that the display of the electronic device isnot visible to a user. In yet another example, a volume of the auditorynotification may be altered based on a determined level of ambientnoise. Likewise, the brightness of the display may be altered based on asensed amount of ambient light.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary electronic device 200 being worn by auser 210 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 shown in FIG. 2A maybe the electronic device 100 shown and described above with respect ofFIG. 1A. As shown in FIG. 2A, the electronic device 200 may be worn onan arm of the user 210. As described above, when the electronic device200 is worn on the arm of the user 210, one or more sensors in theelectronic device 200 may be configured to determine a location andorientation of the electronic device 200. Based on the determinedorientation and location of the electronic device 200, a type of hapticoutput is provided by the electronic device 200 to maximize salience.

Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 2A, the electronic device 200is on a wrist of the user 210 and the arm of the user 210 is pointingdown. As the electronic device 200 is able to determine the orientationof the electronic device 200, and also determine a position of theelectronic device 200 with respect to the user 210, the haptic actuatoroutputs a pulse or a vibration in an axis that is parallel to the user'sarm such as shown by arrow 220.

As also discussed, the haptic actuator may output a pulse or vibrationhaving different frequencies, patterns and/or durations. In embodimentswhere two or more haptic actuators are contained in the electronicdevice 200, one haptic actuator may be selected to output the vibrationor pulse over another haptic actuator based on the orientation orlocation of the haptic actuator in the electronic device 200. Forexample, if a first haptic actuator is configured to output vibrationsin a y axis and another haptic actuator is configured to outputvibrations or pulses in the z axis, the haptic actuator configured tooutput vibrations in the y axis may be selected based on the determinedorientation of the electronic device 200 and/or based on the determinedposition of the electronic device with respect to the user 210.

FIG. 2B illustrates the exemplary electronic device 200 being worn by auser 210 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.In certain embodiments, the electronic device 200 shown in FIG. 2B maybe the electronic device 100 shown and described above with respect ofFIG. 1A. However, in contrast to the electronic device 200 shown in FIG.2A, the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2B is in a different orientation.As such, once a determination is made as to the new orientation of theelectronic device 200, the haptic actuator may output a vibration orpulse in the direction indicated by arrow 230 (e.g., directly into thewrist of the user 210 in the z axis). As with the other embodimentsdescribed herein, the haptic actuator of the electronic device 200 mayoutput a pulse or vibration having different frequencies, patternsand/or durations such as discussed above.

As also discussed above, the electronic device 200 may include two ormore haptic actuators with each haptic actuator being configured tooutput vibrations or pulses in a different axis. As such, and continuingwith the example above, a haptic actuator configured to outputvibrations in the z axis may be selected over a haptic actuatorconfigured to output vibrations in a y axis in order to provide hapticoutput with greater salience based on the current orientation and/orposition of the electronic device 200.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary electronic device 300 that is in aparticular operating environment according to one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the electronic device300 may be the electronic device 130 shown and described above withrespect of FIG. 1B.

As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic device 300 may be contained in apocket of a user 310. As discussed above, one or more sensors of theelectronic device 300 may detect an orientation and/or position of theelectronic device with respect to the user 310. For example, if thesensors are implemented as an accelerometer and an ambient light sensor,each of these sensors may provide data that indicates that theelectronic device 300 is in a confined, dark space and further that theelectronic device 300 is being moved around (e.g., indicating that theuser 310 is moving).

Based on this received data, the electronic device 300 may determinethat a particular type of vibration or pulse may be required to gain theattention of the user 310. For example, the vibration or pulse providedby a haptic actuator may be output at a high frequency and for a longduration. Further, the vibrations or pulses may be output in differentaxes (e.g., a first pulse in a first axis and a second pulse in asecond, different axis). In addition to the vibrations or pulse, anaudible notification may be output by the electronic device 300.

As also shown in FIG. 3, the user 310 may have a second electronicdevice 320. As with the electronic device 200 shown and described abovewith respect to FIG. 1A, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the electronic device 320may use one or more sensors to determine its own orientation andposition with respect to the user 310. This data may then be transmittedto the electronic device 300 contained in the pocket of the user 310.The electronic device 300 may use the received data to determine its ownorientation and/or position with respect to the user 310. Likewise,electronic device 300 may transmit orientation and/or position data tothe electronic device 320. Further, each device may transmit the type ofhaptic output each device is providing. Each electronic device may theneither use a similar haptic output or choose types of haptic output thatcan be distinguished from one another.

FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic device 400 operating in anotherenvironment according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the electronic device 400may be lying flat on a table 410. In certain embodiments, the electronicdevice 400 may be the electronic device 130 shown and described abovewith respect of FIG. 1B. As with other embodiments discussed herein, oneor more sensors in the electronic device 400 may be used to determine anorientation, position, and/or operating environment of the electronicdevice 400. Once the orientation, position and/or operating environmentis determined, the electronic device 400 may output a type of hapticoutput most suitable for the determined orientation.

For example, if the electronic device 400 included an accelerometer andmicrophone, the electronic device 400 may detect that it is in aclassroom or meeting setting by the sensors reporting no movement fromthe accelerometer and/or a relatively low ambient noise level from themicrophone. Upon detecting that it is operating in this environment, theelectronic device 400 may adjust the type of vibrations or pulses outputby a haptic actuator.

In addition, the haptic actuator may be configured to output a testpulse or vibration. In response, the microphone may sense or otherwiseanalyze an amount of noise caused by the vibration or pulse (e.g., noisecaused by the electronic device 400 vibrating on a hard surface) andadjust the type of haptic output provided. In another embodiment, if thevibration or pulse is too loud, a visual notification may be output bythe electronic device 400. For example, a screen or light source of theelectronic device 400 may flash or strobe in order to gain the attentionof the user.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for providing haptic output for anelectronic device according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The method 500 described below may be used by any of theelectronic devices shown and described above with respect to FIG. 1Athrough FIG. 4.

The method 500 begins when a sensor reading is received 510. Accordingto one or more embodiments, the sensor reading may be received from asensor contained in the electronic device. As discussed above, thesensor may be an accelerometer, a light sensor, an image sensor, and thelike. Additionally, the sensor reading may be received from anotherinput device such as, for example a microphone. Although specificsensors and components are mentioned, any number of sensors andcomponents may be used in various combinations to receive sensorreadings and other data corresponding to the operating environment ofthe electronic device.

In embodiments, the sensor readings may be received continuously orsubstantially continuously. Thus, the electronic device would always beaware of its current orientation, position, and operating environment.In another embodiment, the sensor readings may occur periodically. Forexample, sensor readings may be taken at predetermined intervals ortime-based intervals.

In another embodiment, the sensor readings are taken when haptic outputis to be provided. For example, if an incoming phone call is received bythe electronic device, the processor of the electronic device mayrequest sensor readings from one or more sensors prior to selecting andproviding a type of haptic output. Based on the received sensorreadings, the processor of the electronic device may determine the typeof haptic output to provide based on the current sensor readings. In yetanother embodiment, sensor readings may be requested when the electronicdevice changes state (e.g., is moved from a stationary position to amoving position by being picked up, carried and so on).

Once the sensor readings have been received, flow proceeds to operation520 in which the operating parameters of the electronic device aredetermined. The operating parameters of the electronic device mayinclude an orientation of the electronic device, a position of theelectronic device with respect to a user of the electronic device and/orwith respect to a second electronic device, whether the electronicdevice is stationary or moving, whether the electronic device iscovered, partially covered or visible, and the like.

In certain embodiments, the viewability of a display screen of theelectronic device may also be determined based on the received sensorreadings. For example, the received sensor readings may indicate thatthe display of the electronic device is in an orientation in which thedisplay is not currently visible to the user of the electronic device.Likewise, the sensor reading may determine that the display screen ofthe electronic device is occluded or partially occluded from view.

In operation 530 a determination is made as to whether additional dataabout the electronic device is available. The additional data mayinclude data from other applications or programs that are executing oravailable on the electronic device. For example, a calendaringapplication or contact application may provide additional data about auser's location or whether the user should be notified by a visualnotification, an auditory notification, a tactile notification or somecombination thereof.

Further, the additional information may help determine the orientationof the electronic device. For example, if a calendaring applicationindicates that the user is in a meeting, the electronic device may makea determination that the electronic device is positioned on a table orin a pocket of the user and may adjust the haptic output accordingly.

In other embodiments, the electronic device may learn various types ofbehavior based on the user's schedule and output vibrations or othernotifications accordingly. For example, if an electronic device was in aparticular orientation at a given time of day, or was in a particularorientation during a calendared appointment, the electronic device mayuse types of haptic output that were provided in those situations whenthe data from these sources indicate the user is again in a similarappointment or situation.

In other embodiments, data from applications executing on the computingdevice may be received first in an attempt to determine the currentorientation and operating environment of the electronic device. Once thedata from the applications is received, additional sensor data may berequested from the one or more sensors of the electronic device toverify the assumed orientation or position of the electronic device.

If operation 530 determines that additional information is availableand/or is needed, flow proceeds to operation 540 and the additionalinformation is provided to the processor of the electronic device. Oncethe additional information is received, flow proceeds to operation 550and a type of haptic output is determined that will maximize salience.In embodiments, the type of haptic output may include the direction ofthe haptic output, the frequency of the haptic output, the duration ofthe haptic output, the pattern of the haptic output, the amount of powerto be used in providing the haptic output and the like.

Returning back to operation 530, if it is determined that no additionalinformation is needed (or wanted), flow proceeds directly to operation550 and the type of haptic output is determined. As discussed, the typeof haptic output may include the direction, the frequency, the pattern,the duration, etc. of the vibrations and pulses.

When the type of haptic output is determined, flow proceeds to operation560 and the haptic output is provided. In certain embodiments, thehaptic output may be provided by a single haptic actuator. In otherembodiments, the haptic output may be provided by multiple hapticactuators. In embodiments where multiple haptic actuators are used,operation 550 may determine which haptic actuator is used. In addition,operation 550 may also determine whether multiple haptic actuators areactive simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. In otherembodiments, the haptic actuators may be actuated in sequence or in astaggered or alternating manner.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components, such as,for example, hardware components of an electronic device 600 accordingto one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In certainembodiments, the electronic device 600 may be similar to the wearableelectronic device 100 described above with respect to FIG. 1A or theelectronic device 130 described above with respect to FIG. 1B. Althoughvarious components of the device 600 are shown, connections andcommunication channels between each of the components are omitted forsimplicity.

In a basic configuration, the electronic device 600 may include at leastone processor 605 and an associated memory 610. The memory 610 maycomprise, but is not limited to, volatile storage such as random accessmemory, non-volatile storage such as read-only memory, flash memory, orany combination thereof. The memory 610 may store an operating system615 and one or more program modules 620 suitable for running softwareapplications 655. The operating system 615 may be configured to controlthe electronic device 600 and/or one or more software applications 655being executed by the operating system 615.

The electronic device 600 may have additional features or functionalitythan those expressly described herein. For example, the electronicdevice 600 may also include additional data storage devices, removableand non-removable, such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks,or tape. Exemplary storage devices are illustrated in FIG. 6 byremovable storage device 625 and a non-removable storage device 630.

In certain embodiments, various program modules and data files may bestored in the system memory 610. The program modules 620 and theprocessor 605 may perform processes that include one or more of theoperations of method 500 shown and described with respect to FIG. 5.

As also shown in FIG. 6, the electronic device 600 may include one ormore input devices 635. The input devices 635 may include a keyboard, amouse, a pen or stylus, a sound input device, a touch input device, andthe like. The electronic device 600 may also include one or more outputdevices 640. The output devices 640 may include a display, one or morespeakers, a printer, and the like. The electronic device 600 may alsoinclude one or more haptic actuators 660 that are used to provide thehaptic feedback such as described herein. As discussed above, theelectronic device 600 may also include one or more sensors 665. Thesensors may include, but are not limited to, accelerometers, ambientlight sensors, gyroscopes, magnetometers and other sensors describedherein.

The electronic device 600 also includes communication connections 645that facilitate communications with additional computing devices 650.Such communication connections 645 may include a RF transmitter, areceiver, and/or transceiver circuitry, universal serial bus (USB)communications, parallel ports and/or serial ports.

As used herein, the term computer readable media may include computerstorage media. Computer storage media may include volatile andnonvolatile media and/or removable and non-removable media implementedin any method or technology for the storage of information. Examplesinclude computer-readable instructions, data structures, or programmodules. The memory 610, the removable storage device 625, and thenon-removable storage device 630 are all examples of computer storagemedia. Computer storage media may include RAM, ROM, electricallyerasable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other opticalstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or any other article of manufacturewhich can be used to store information and which can be accessed by theelectronic device 600. Any such computer storage media may be part ofthe electronic device 600.

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary electronic device 700 according toone or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a blockdiagram illustrating the architecture of an electronic device such aselectronic device 100 shown and described with respect to FIG. 1A orelectronic device 130 shown and described with respect to FIG. 1B.Although various components of the device 700 are shown, connections andcommunication channels between each of the components are omitted forsimplicity.

In certain embodiments, the system 705 may execute one or moreapplications or programs. These applications or programs include browserapplications, e-mail applications, calendaring applications, contactmanager applications, messaging applications, games, media playerapplications and the like.

One or more embodiments provide that application programs may be loadedinto a memory 710 and may be executed by, or in association with, theoperating system 715. Additional exemplary application programs mayinclude phone programs, e-mail programs, personal information management(PIM) programs, word processing programs, spreadsheet programs, Internetbrowser programs, messaging programs, and the like. The system 705 alsoincludes a non-volatile storage area 720 within the memory 710. Thenon-volatile storage area 720 may be used to store persistentinformation. In certain embodiments, the application programs may useand store information in the non-volatile storage area 720. Asynchronization application or module (not shown) may also be includedwith the system 705 to synchronize applications or data resident on thedevice 700 with another computer or device. In embodiments, the device700 includes a power supply 725. The power supply 725 may be a battery,solar cell, and the like that provides power to each of the componentsshown. The power supply 725 may also include an external power source,such as an AC adapter or other such connector that supplements orrecharges the batteries. The device 700 may also include a radio 730that performs the function of transmitting and receiving radio frequencycommunications Additionally, communications received by the radio 730may be disseminated to the application programs disclosed herein theoperating system 715. Likewise, communications from the applicationprograms may be disseminated to the radio 730 as needed.

The electronic device 700 may also include a visual indicator 735, akeypad 760 and a display 765. In embodiments, the keypad may be aphysical keypad or a virtual keypad generated on a touch screen display765.

The visual indicator 735 may be used to provide visual notifications toa user of the electronic device 700. The electronic device 700 may alsoinclude an audio interface 740 for producing audible notifications andalerts. In certain embodiments, the visual indicator 735 is a lightemitting diode (LED) or other such light source and the audio interface740 is a speaker. In certain embodiments, the audio interface may beconfigured to receive audio input.

The audio interface 740 may also be used to provide and receive audiblesignals from a user of the electronic device 700. For example, amicrophone may be used to receive audible input. In accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure, the microphone may also serve asan audio sensor to facilitate control of notifications such as describedabove. The system 705 may further include a video interface 750 thatenables an operation of an on-board camera 755 to record still images,video, and the like.

In one or more embodiments, data and information generated or capturedby the electronic device 700 may be stored locally. Additionally oralternatively, the data may be stored on any number of storage mediathat may be accessed by the electronic device 700 using the radio 730, awired connection or a wireless connection between the electronic device700 and a remote computing device. Additionally, data and informationmay be readily transferred between computing devices.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described above with referenceto block diagrams and operational illustrations of methods and the like.The operations described may occur out of the order as shown in any ofthe figures. Additionally, one or more operations may be removed orexecuted substantially concurrently. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may be executed substantially concurrently. Additionally, theblocks may be executed in the reverse order.

The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided inthis disclosure are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of thepresent disclosure as claimed. The embodiments, examples, and detailsprovided in this disclosure are considered sufficient to conveypossession and enable others to make and use the best mode of theclaimed embodiments. Additionally, the claimed embodiments should not beconstrued as being limited to any embodiment, example, or detailprovided above. Regardless of whether shown and described in combinationor separately, the various features, including structural features andmethodological features, are intended to be selectively included oromitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features.Having been provided with the description and illustration of thepresent application, one skilled in the art may envision variations,modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit ofthe broader aspects of the embodiments described herein that do notdepart from the broader scope of the claimed embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a motion sensorthat gathers motion sensor data; a processor that determines a currentorientation of the electronic device based on the motion sensor data;and a haptic output device that generates at least first and secondtypes of haptic output, wherein the processor selects between the firstand second types of haptic output based on the current orientation ofthe electronic device, and wherein the haptic output device outputs theselected first or second type of haptic output in response to at leastone of an incoming phone call, a text message, and an email.
 2. Theelectronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second typesof haptic output have different directions.
 3. The electronic devicedefined in claim 1 wherein the first and second types of haptic outputhave different durations.
 4. The electronic device defined in claim 1wherein the first and second types of haptic output have at least onedifferent characteristic from one another and wherein the differentcharacteristic is selected from the group consisting of: frequency,power, and pattern.
 5. The electronic device defined in claim 1 whereinthe motion sensor comprises an accelerometer.
 6. The electronic devicedefined in claim 1 wherein the processor determines a position of theelectronic device relative to an external electronic device based atleast partly the motion sensor data.
 7. The electronic device defined inclaim 6 wherein the processor selects between the first and second typesof haptic output based on the position of the electronic device relativeto the external electronic device.
 8. The electronic device defined inclaim 1 further comprising a display that displays a notification,wherein a characteristic of the notification is based at least partly onthe current orientation of the electronic device.
 9. The electronicdevice defined in claim 8 wherein the display displays the notificationwhile the haptic output device generates one of the first and secondtypes of haptic output.
 10. The electronic device defined in claim 1further comprising an ambient light sensor that gathers ambient lightsensor data, wherein the processor selects between the first and secondtypes of haptic output based on the ambient light sensor data.
 11. Anelectronic device that provides notifications to a user, comprising: asensor that gathers sensor data; a processor that determines whether theelectronic device is moving or stationary based on the sensor data; anda haptic output device that generates a first type of haptic output forthe notifications when the electronic device is moving and a second typeof haptic output for the notifications when the device is stationary.12. The electronic device defined in claim 11 wherein the first andsecond types of haptic output have at least one different characteristicfrom one another and wherein the different characteristic is selectedfrom the group consisting of: direction, duration, frequency, power, andpattern.
 13. The electronic device defined in claim 11 wherein thesensor comprises an accelerometer.
 14. The electronic device defined inclaim 11 further comprising a display that displays a notification whilethe haptic output device generates one of the first and second types ofhaptic output.
 15. The electronic device defined in claim 14 wherein theprocessor determines a characteristic of the notification based on thesensor data.
 16. An electronic device that provides notifications for auser and that operates in environment, the electronic device comprising:a sensor that gathers information about the environment; a haptic outputdevice that generates haptic output; a display that generates visualoutput; and a processor that determines whether to provide thenotifications using the haptic output, the visual output, or acombination of the haptic output and the visual output based on theinformation about the environment.
 17. The electronic device defined inclaim 16 wherein the sensor comprises a sensor selected from the groupconsisting of: a motion sensor, an ambient light sensor, an imagesensor, and a temperature sensor.
 18. The electronic device defined inclaim 16 wherein the haptic output device generates first and secondtypes of haptic output and wherein the processor determines whether toprovide the first or second type of haptic output based on theinformation about the environment.
 19. The electronic device defined inclaim 18 wherein the first and second types of haptic output havedifferent directions.
 20. The electronic device defined in claim 18wherein the first and second types of haptic output have differentdurations.